Compression band for an embalmed corpse



A ril 28, 1959 LEO-PAUL LE DOUX COMPRESSION BAND -FOR AN EMBALMED CORPSE Filed Feb. 15, 1957 1&

%Wed/on' le-pazll Unite States Patent O COMPRESSION BAND FOR AN EMBALMED CORPSE Leo-Paul Ledoux, Wate-loo, Quebec, Canada Application February 13, 1957, Serial No. 639,892

1 claim. (Cl. 27-21) This invention relates to the preparation of a corpse and especially relates to the treatment of a corpse after an embalment operation and especially to apparatus for carryng out such treatment, the apparatus being preferably terned a compression band for an embalmed corpse.

It is well known that in embalming a corpse, an antiseptic and preservative solution is forced into all branches of the circulatory system to replace the blood. More Conveniently, the embalming fluid is introduced by a syringe into the carotid artery of the neck and is continued until all of the blood has been replaced as fluid flows from the carotid artery through the remainder of the vascular system. The injection of the fluid at the carclltid artery causes swelling and disfigurement of the nec One of the objects of this invention is to provide, after the injection is stopped, of a compression of the neck and its restoration to normal size and appearance.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel compression band which, when Wrapped around and left on the neck, will automatically eflect restoration to normal appearance, after which it will be removed.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a compression band of such character that, when removed, will leave no trace of its application.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be presently apparent, the invention consists in general of a step in the method of embalming a corpse and means for efiecting such step hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly claimed.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views; and

Figure 1 is a side view of the head and chest of a corpse in which embalment has been carried out in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a compression band constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken at center, the middle of the section being broken away.

As shown in the drawings, the compression band of this invention includes an arcuate band of elastic material 10, having a convexly curved outer edge 11, and a concavely curved inner edge 12. As shown in Figures 2, 3

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and 4, this band is substantially flat but as shown in Figure 3, is formed with convex surfaces 13, in cross section, thus providing thin edges, at 11 and 12. Moreover, the edges 11 and 12 are parallel and thus, the edge 11, which may be termed the upper or chin edge, is longer than the lower or throat edge 12.

At each end of the band the band is provided with a thickened tubular portion 14. Mounted in one of the portions 14, is a wire loop 15 of generally rectangular form, provided With an otfset and rebent portion 16, form ing a hook. In the other portion 14, is mounted a generally rectangular wire loop 17, having an ofiset portion 18, forming an'eye 'for engagement by the hook 16. It is to be noted that the hook and eye members are made of smooth metal so that it does not cling to the skin when applied thereto.

In using this band 10, it is Wrapped around the upper part of the neck of the corpse with the edge 11 under the jaws of the body and well forward under the chin, this being done immediately upon cessation of the injection of the embalming fluid. The hook 16 is then engaged in the eye 18. When applied the hook and eye connection is placed at the upper part of the nape of the neck whereby the elastic portions of the device urge the skin on the rounded parts of the upper jaw whereby the skin from this part moves down to the underside of the jaws. The band is left on until, upon releasing the hook from the eye and loosening the band, the operator observes that normal appearance has been attained.

There has thus been provided a novel method of restoring the neck of the corpse to normal appearance after an embalm-ing operation and there has also been a simple and efiicient device for carrying the method into execution.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A compression band for wrapping about the neck of an 'embalmed corpse comprising an elongated strip of elastic material having one of its longitudinal edges convex and the other concave, said strip being biconvex in cross-section, said convex edge being longer than said concave edge, and means to connect the ends of said strip, said means including an eye member attached to one end of said strip and a hook member attached to the other end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 362,601 Bretzfield May 10, 1887 1,127,565 Winters Feb. 9, 1915 2,677,166 Slocum et al. May 4, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,776 Great Britain Nov. 23, 1895 of 1895 

